Ashville (AL)

Head Coach: Jim Browning (entering 7th season)

Staff: Shaun Carter

Defending Alabama 1A-4A State Champs lost a lot to graduation - but don’t believe that the cupboard is empty and the Bulldogs are starting anew. Ashville did lose State Placers Nick Spears and much of the top half of their lineup including Runners-up Jabe Burgess, Luke Harris, and Jacob Ebner, but they return State Runner-up Dylan Harris and State Placer Mason Wilson. The key for Ashville will be the development of Tyler Ebner and Nick Williamson. Keep an eye on Layden Olsen who will take over the 220 spot … he could make a difference. Five will put Ashville in the hunt, but they will need some new faces to step in if they are going to repeat.

“We are looking forward to a great season. We have a lot of big shoes to fill losing seven seniors from last year. But as a coaching staff we feel that we have a great group of young men, who work hard, and are coachable, so we look forward to having a really good season.”

— Coach Browning

Centennial (TN)

Head Coach: Phillip Pelkey (entering 9th season)

Staff: Zach Pelkey, Eric Moore, Steven Fuller

Centennial struggled a bit in 2020-21 - only qualifying Alex Ables for the state tournament (very out of the ordinary for the Cougars). Obviously the 2020 Covid season was tough on different teams - in different ways and with the restrictions on qualifiers, etc. was a different “type” of season. Centennial returns 7 with region experience including 2021 freshmen Elijah Benfield, Elijah Weston, and Nathan Alcock who will look to punch their ticket as sophomores. Keep an eye on Ceron Campbell and Patrick Styblo - both should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium in 2022.

Getting a healthy Jackson Wynne Dossat back is big for the Cougars, but they need those younger wrestlers to step up and continue their development. Watch for Max Munson, Patrick Clingan, and Lane Lewis this season.

“Our goal as a team is the same every year and that is to win the region and make it to the state duals. After 3 straight trips to the TSSAA State Dual Championships (including back to back regional champs) we missed out on going last year. We finished the season 15-3 and lost about half the season so we are excited to get a full season back. We have a bunch of hard working guys in the room that are taking the challenge on. We understand that we are in a really tough deep region and have to bring our A game to every single practice and match we have.”

— Coach Pelkey

East Coweta (GA)

Head Coach: Matt Ferrari (entering 5th season)

Staff: Ben Casado, Drew Gabriel, Buck Roetman, Derek Roetman, Jake Madison

East Coweta has a solid group returning in 2021-2022 and will look to make some noise in 7A. Coach Ferrari returns 7 of 11 State Qualifiers, but do lose 2021 State Placer Dylan Spelios to graduation. Christian Gordon, Kian Hauser, and Brennon Linenger each won multiple matches in Macon in 2021 and should lead the team this season. The key for East Coweta’s team success will be the continued development of Josh Shackelford, Malakai Dudek, Phillip Carroll, and Landen Woodard. If Ferrari can get those 7 back to Macon and get some production from other parts of the lineup - EC could be a team to watch this season. Keep an eye on New York transfer Betty Cherry as well as the return of John Milner, Cosby Ellis, and Ta’Lynn Ellis.

“Excited for the 21-22 season. Lots of new faces this season, as the Indians will be 52 wrestlers strong this season, including 5 girls competing. Very young bunch of new JV wrestlers, but some who can likely help in dual situations down the road. The returning varsity wrestlers put a great summer of wrestling together and should be ready to make the run to Macon in February.”

— Coach Ferrari